The foundation of your home may not be visible, but it is one of the most important parts of your home because it supports all the weight, including family, friends and furniture! Although new homes usually have a solid foundation, older ones may need a little more love and care. Unfortunately, older foundations sometimes suffer from a lack of drainage and support from the materials.
If you feel that your foundations are no longer doing their job, now may be the time to act and take the necessary steps to fix it. Depending on the severity of the problem, there are a few techniques you can implement to repair or completely replace your existing foundation. If you’re curious, read on for information on what to do when your foundation needs repair. Warning: this is work that should always be done by pros!
Here’s how to repair or replace your foundation
Techniques to repair a damaged foundation
When addressing foundation issues, it’s crucial to understand the various residential foundation repair techniques available. Depending on the severity of the damage, professionals may recommend solutions such as underpinning, slab jacking, or piering to restore the structural integrity of your home. If your foundation is in very poor condition, chances are it can’t be repaired using normal maintenance methods, including conventional bracing and waterproofing techniques offered by foundation experts. First, this article will discuss repair methods that can help you keep your foundation alive, even if it is in very poor condition. If none of these methods seem to help you improve the condition of your foundation, we will suggest ways to replace it.This is one of the easiest ways to repair your home’s foundation. Filling a basement completely with sand will help direct the pressure elsewhere, countering the lateral pressure that keeps the walls of your home from moving. However, this method will not allow you to use your basement again. If this is the only storage space available in your home, you can consider another repair method or build a garage and start this project.
If you decide to go ahead, the task of filling your basement should be relatively easy. Insert a tube through an old window or other opening that leads to the basement and pour sand directly into that space. Be sure to spread it out and smooth it out every few inches to create a sturdy structure that provides extra support for the weight of your home.
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Fill out the form to be put in contact with certified contractors!This method involves having experts build a new interior wall in your basement, which will relieve some of the pressure on your current foundation. The new constructed wall will be a one-sided concrete structure placed inside the perimeter of the basement.
Unlike filling your basement with sand, this method will allow continued use of the basement. Unfortunately, it’s important to keep in mind that this method is expensive, as it will require an engineer who can design the new wall to withstand the lateral pressure exerted by the old one.
Pour a new exterior wall
This task should also be entrusted to an expert. Pouring a new exterior wall will require digging a trench around the existing foundation of your home and pouring concrete into the trench to create the new wall.If your house already has serious foundation problems, you need to have the old foundation support when the trenches are dug.
Also, pouring a new exterior wall will only prevent pressures on the old foundation walls. Therefore, if the problems with your foundation are quite severe or internal, it may be necessary to completely replace your foundation. Read on to find out how to tackle this very complex project!
Replace your foundation
Replacing your foundation is an expensive process, but it’s the best method if your current structure is in very poor condition. Replacing the foundations will ensure the longevity of your surfaces and, moreover, will increase the resale value of your home.The only complete method of foundation replacement is to move your entire home from its current location.
This will need to be done by a specialist house moving company, who will raise and remove your house from its current location to access the foundation. Then, the existing foundations will be completely removed and recycled. The area will then be excavated, secured and protected.
The new foundation can then be installed! Starting from scratch, you can choose the material that best suits your needs. Once the foundation is established, your house can be lowered onto the new foundation. Remember that this is not an instant process and it will take around 6-8 weeks to complete.
How long the process will take will depend a lot on the weather, the size of your home, and the work you will need to do after replacing your foundation. This is a mammoth project and should be treated as such, so as soon as possible, consider calling in an expert to assess the damage to your foundation!
